Israel Considers Possibility of Ben-gurion’s Attending U.N. Assembly

September 6, 1960

JERUSALEM (Sep. 5)

The question of Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion’s possible attendance at the next session of the United Nations General Assembly, which opens September 20, was being considered in Government circles here today, while the Premier himself was on a pre-High Holy Day vacation.

A decision that Mr. Ben-Gurion would not go to the UN had been taken previously. However, the matter is being reconsidered in view of reports that heads of a number of Afro-Asian governments may go to the UN Assembly this year. If a majority of the Afro-Asian Prime Ministers do go to the UN, the Government of Israel may decide that Mr. Ben-Gurion should also be there, it was indicated today.

Reports were received today that, at New Delhi, officials declined to affirm or to deny that Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru would attend this year’s General Assembly. From Accra came word that President Kwame Nkrumah is considering leading his delegation to the UN Assembly this year. And at Jakarta it was announced definitely that Indonesia’s President Sukarno will go to the General Assembly in New York.

An issue of definite concern to Israel at this year’s Assembly will be the debate on the Arab refugee problem, which comes before the Assembly every year. While Mr. Ben-Gurion is officially on vacation, he is expected to attend next week’s Cabinet meeting here where this issue and others on which the Israel delegation to the UN must be instructed, will be considered.